Entryway Organization

Make a Great First Impression

The entryway is the first space you and your guests encounter when entering your home, making it a crucial area for creating a welcoming atmosphere. However, entryways can quickly become cluttered with shoes, coats, and bags, making it harder to maintain order. With the right organizational strategies, you can turn this high-traffic area into a functional, organized, and aesthetically pleasing space that sets the tone for the rest of your home. Here are some practical tips for organizing your entryway effectively.

1. Maximize Shoe Storage

  • Use a Shoe Rack or Shelves: Keep shoes neatly arranged on a shoe rack, shelves, or in a dedicated shoe cabinet. This prevents shoes from being scattered around and keeps the floor clear.
  • Limit the Number of Shoes in the Entryway: Store only the most frequently used shoes in the entryway. Rotate seasonal footwear and store off-season shoes elsewhere, like in a bedroom closet or under the bed.
  • Use Baskets for Extra Storage: Place a decorative basket or bin by the door to quickly stash shoes, especially for families with children, to maintain a tidy appearance.

2. Organize Coats, Bags, and Accessories

  • Wall-Mounted Hooks or Coat Racks: Install wall-mounted hooks or use a coat rack to hang jackets, scarves, and bags. This keeps these items off the floor and makes them easily accessible as you come and go.
  • Use a Storage Bench: A storage bench can double as seating for putting on shoes and as a place to store items like scarves, gloves, or hats. It’s a functional piece of furniture that also helps reduce clutter.
  • Limit Items to Essentials: Only keep essential outerwear and bags in the entryway. Rotate items based on the season to avoid overcrowding the space with unnecessary items.

3. Add a Console Table or Entryway Table

  • Create a Drop Zone: Place a small console table or entryway table by the door to act as a drop zone for keys, mail, and other small items. This keeps clutter off the floor and ensures these essentials are always within reach.
  • Use Trays or Bowls: Add decorative trays or bowls on the table for storing keys, sunglasses, or change. This helps keep small items organized and contained, rather than scattered across the table.
  • Incorporate Storage Baskets: Place baskets or bins under the console table to store items like umbrellas, dog leashes, or shoes. This adds hidden storage while keeping the space neat.

4. Manage Mail and Paperwork

  • Designate a Mail Station: Create a dedicated spot for incoming mail, bills, and paperwork. Use a wall-mounted mail organizer, trays, or folders to sort mail as soon as it comes in, preventing it from piling up.
  • Sort and Discard Daily: Make a habit of sorting through your mail daily. Recycle junk mail immediately and store important documents in a designated area.
  • Add a Shredder or Recycling Bin: Keep a small shredder or recycling bin nearby to quickly dispose of unwanted papers, keeping the entryway free of clutter.

5. Mirror and Lighting

  • Add a Mirror: Hang a mirror above the console table or near the door. A mirror not only adds a decorative touch but also provides a practical spot to check your appearance before heading out the door.
  • Incorporate Lighting: Ensure your entryway is well-lit by adding a small lamp on the console table or installing a wall sconce. Proper lighting creates a welcoming atmosphere and helps keep the space functional during early mornings or late nights.

6. Designate a Place for Kids’ Items

  • Set Up Kid-Friendly Hooks: Install lower hooks for children to hang their coats and backpacks. This encourages them to take responsibility for their belongings and helps keep the area tidy.
  • Use Bins or Cubbies for School Supplies: Assign each child a cubby or basket for school supplies, shoes, or sports equipment. This prevents items from cluttering the floor and keeps everything organized in one place.
  • Rotate Seasonal Gear: Keep only the current season’s gear in the entryway. Store off-season items like winter boots and coats in a designated space elsewhere.

7. Keep Seasonal Items Organized

  • Use a Coat Rack for Seasonal Rotation: During colder months, use a coat rack for jackets and umbrellas. During warmer seasons, swap out these items for sun hats or lightweight jackets.
  • Store Away Off-Season Gear: Designate a storage space for items like winter boots, gloves, and heavy coats. Storing these away during off-seasons keeps the entryway less cluttered.

8. Maintain the Entryway Organization

  • Daily Tidying Routine: At the end of each day, spend a couple of minutes tidying up the entryway. Put away shoes, hang coats, and clear off any clutter from the console table.
  • Weekly Purge: Once a week, go through the area to ensure items like mail, shoes, or accessories haven’t started piling up again. A regular check will help you maintain a clean and organized space.